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WILKES-BARRE — This week’s downpours haven’t stopped Riverfest 2019.
“We haven’t canceled the event due to the recent rainfall,” said John Maday of the Riverfront Parks Committee Friday evening. “We had to postpone some of the festivities, but there will still be a lot of great stuff for everyone Saturday.
The community event held every June at Nesbitt Park is celebrating its 24th year, however, Maday said Riverfest has gone on longer than that.
Among the loyal attendees to show up, were Freeland couple Dave and Cindy Digon.
“We’ve been coming since its inception,” the couple said about attending Riverfest. “We could hear the band from across the river.”
Live music from the Tom Petty Appreciation Band had folks dancing in the parking lot.
“Sadly when we got here the band was taking a break, but they are pretty good,” Dave said. “We like to see the races, but I understand why they were postponed.”
Paddling excursions, Dragon Boat races and the Suskie Bassmasters Free Family Fishing Derby, all originally scheduled in conjunction with Riverfest, have been postponed until August, Maday mentioned.
Maday said that the canceled activities would have been able to go off without a hitch had the river stayed around 5 feet and stable, but because the river was above five feet and rising, Maday had to postpone the event for everyone’s safety.
“Under perfect conditions, it’s still a very challenging event to put on,” the Riverfest vet noted. “With rain, the river rises and makes things much more difficult. The city (Wilkes-Barre) did a great job of mowing the lawns.”
Food vendors lined the park, offering cuisine from your standard hot dog to roasted corn.
According to Maday, Saturday will offer over 40 eco-friendly hints and tips from the Environmental Education Tent, a 2-mile levee walk from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with participants receiving a free drawstring bag.
“Of course there will be more live music and food vendors,” Maday laughed. “We will also be hosting Kids Yoga for children. They will also receive their own yoga mat. The YMCA Playground has also been a big hit.”
“At the end of the day we want it to be educational for everyone,” Maday added. “It’s our planet, we have to save it and respect it.”
Riverfest 2019 ran from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, the annual event will run from noon to 5 p.m.